Judges 8:1
"And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

📖

Summary

Those who will not attempt or venture any thing in the cause of God, will be the most ready to censure and quarrel with such as are of a more

zealous and enterprising spirit. And those who are the most backward to difficult services, will be the most angry not to have the credit of them.

Reflection

Gideon stands here as a great example of self-denial; and shows us that envy is best removed by humility. The Ephraimites had given vent to their passion in very wrong

freedom of speech, a certain sign of a weak cause: reason runs low when chiding flies high.

📚Read Complete Commentary

Those who will not attempt or venture any thing in the cause of God, will be the most ready to censure and quarrel with such as are of a more

zealous and enterprising spirit. And those who are the most backward to difficult services, will be the most angry not to have the credit of them. Gideon stands here as a great example of self-denial; and shows us that envy is best removed by humility. The Ephraimites had given vent to their passion in very wrong freedom of speech, a certain sign of a weak cause: reason runs low when chiding flies high.

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (17 words)

H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0376 אִישׁ
Definition:

23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ 23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ

Possible Meanings:
  • man (semantic_range)
H0669 אֶפְרַיִם
Definition:

52 connected withהִפְרָה, Hiph`il ofפרה, compareפראHiph`ilHosea 13:15).12nd son of JosephGenesis 41:52;Genesis 46:20; reckoned among sons of Jacob, blessed by him, and given preference over ManassehGe 52 connected withהִפְרָה, Hiph`il ofפרה, compareפראHiph`ilHosea 13:15).12nd son of JosephGenesis 41:52;Genesis 46:20; reckoned among sons of Jacob, blessed by him, and given preference over ManassehGe

Possible Meanings:
  • Ephraim (semantic_range)
H4100 מָה
Definition:

43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th 43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th

Possible Meanings:
  • what? (semantic_range)
H1697 דָבָר
Definition:

14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו 14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו

Possible Meanings:
  • speaking (semantic_range)
H2088 זֶה
Definition:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki

H6213 עָשָׂה
Definition:

A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly,

Possible Meanings:
  • press (semantic_range)
  • squeeze (semantic_range)
H1115 בִּלְתִּי
Definition:

Sta§ 343Ges§ 90, 3), (Phoenicianבלתonly:Tabnith-Inscription5) —1. adverbnot, with an adjective1 Samuel 20:26בִּלְתִּי טָהוֺרnotclean, with a substantiveIsaiah 14:6מַכַּת בִּלְתִּי סָרָהa stroke ofnon# Sta§ 343Ges§ 90, 3), (Phoenicianבלתonly:Tabnith-Inscription5) —1. adverbnot, with an adjective1 Samuel 20:26בִּלְתִּי טָהוֺרnotclean, with a substantiveIsaiah 14:6מַכַּת בִּלְתִּי סָרָהa stroke ofnon#

H7121 קָרָא
Definition:

9+, 3 feminine singular consecutiveוְקָרָזתIsaiah 7:14(Ges§ 74g); 2 masculine singularקָרָאתָJudges 12:1+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִקְרָאGenesis 2:19+; suffixיִקְרְאוֺJeremiah 23:6,אֵהוּ-Isa 9+, 3 feminine singular consecutiveוְקָרָזתIsaiah 7:14(Ges§ 74g); 2 masculine singularקָרָאתָJudges 12:1+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִקְרָאGenesis 2:19+; suffixיִקְרְאוֺJeremiah 23:6,אֵהוּ-Isa

Possible Meanings:
  • call (semantic_range)
  • read out (semantic_range)
  • aloud (semantic_range)
  • call (semantic_range)
  • proclaim (semantic_range)
H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H1980 הָלַךְ
Definition:

26+;הָלָ֑ךְ2 Samuel 8:6+; 3 pluralהָֽלְכוּGenesis 14:24+;(הֶ)הָֽלְכוּאJoshua 10:24(Ges§ 23, 3; 138, 3 b Köi. 414 f.), etc.;Imperfectrarelya.3masculine singularיִהֲלֹךְJeremiah 9:34t. Job, Psalms;וַיַּ 26+;הָלָ֑ךְ2 Samuel 8:6+; 3 pluralהָֽלְכוּGenesis 14:24+;(הֶ)הָֽלְכוּאJoshua 10:24(Ges§ 23, 3; 138, 3 b Köi. 414 f.), etc.;Imperfectrarelya.3masculine singularיִהֲלֹךְJeremiah 9:34t. Job, Psalms;וַיַּ

Possible Meanings:
  • toll (semantic_range)
H3898 לָחַם
Definition:

A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) -- devour, eat, X ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring).Brown-Driver-BriggsI. [לָחַ A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) -- devour, eat, X ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring).Brown-Driver-BriggsI. [לָחַ

Possible Meanings:
  • feast (semantic_range)
H4080 מִדְיָן
Definition:

2,4 (J)1 Chronicles 1:32,33.2an Arabian tribeGenesis 36:35(=1 Chronicles 1:46)Numbers 31:3(twice in verse);Numbers 31:7,8 (twice in verse);Numbers 31:9(P)Judges 6-9(31 t.); having aכֹּהֵן(as chieftain 2,4 (J)1 Chronicles 1:32,33.2an Arabian tribeGenesis 36:35(=1 Chronicles 1:46)Numbers 31:3(twice in verse);Numbers 31:7,8 (twice in verse);Numbers 31:9(P)Judges 6-9(31 t.); having aכֹּהֵן(as chieftain

Possible Meanings:
  • the land of Midian (semantic_range)
H7378 רִיב
Definition:

25;1 Samuel 25:29; 2masculine singularרַבְתָּLamentations 3:58,רִיבוֺתָJob 33:13, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָרִיבJudges 6:31+, jussiveיָרֵבHosea 4:4;1 Samuel 24:16,יָ֫רֶבלוֺ(בּוֺׅJudges 6:31,3 25;1 Samuel 25:29; 2masculine singularרַבְתָּLamentations 3:58,רִיבוֺתָJob 33:13, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָרִיבJudges 6:31+, jussiveיָרֵבHosea 4:4;1 Samuel 24:16,יָ֫רֶבלוֺ(בּוֺׅJudges 6:31,3

Possible Meanings:
  • strife (semantic_range)
  • dispute (semantic_range)
H0854 אֵת
Definition:

25;Joshua 14:12, next2 Samuel 24:24; then repeatedly (but not exclusively)1 Kings 20—2 Kings 8, & in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, e.g.1 Kings 20:25(but1 Kings 20:23אִתָּם)1 Kings 22:7,8,24 (besideמֵאִתִּי)2 Kin 25;Joshua 14:12, next2 Samuel 24:24; then repeatedly (but not exclusively)1 Kings 20—2 Kings 8, & in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, e.g.1 Kings 20:25(but1 Kings 20:23אִתָּם)1 Kings 22:7,8,24 (besideמֵאִתִּי)2 Kin

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H2394 חָזְקָה
Definition:

3forcibly, violently; capture byforce1 Samuel 2:16;Ezekiel 34:4of rulingוּבְמָּ֑רֶךְ׳בְּחwith force and with rigour.2rebukeseverely, sharplyJudges 8:1; crymightily, insistentlyJonah 3:8. —לֲחָזְקָה2 K 3forcibly, violently; capture byforce1 Samuel 2:16;Ezekiel 34:4of rulingוּבְמָּ֑רֶךְ׳בְּחwith force and with rigour.2rebukeseverely, sharplyJudges 8:1; crymightily, insistentlyJonah 3:8. —לֲחָזְקָה2 K

Possible Meanings:
  • strength (semantic_range)
  • violence (semantic_range)

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